John Burroughs Papers
Primarily writings by and photographs of naturalist and philosopher John Burroughs and his family and friends.
Biographical / Historical Note
John Burroughs was born on April 3, 1837 on his family's farm in Roxbury, New York. As a child he spent much of his time reading, writing, and working on the farm. He attended the Hedding Literary Institute and the Cooperstown Seminary before leaving...
MoreJohn Burroughs was born on April 3, 1837 on his family's farm in Roxbury, New York. As a child he spent much of his time reading, writing, and working on the farm. He attended the Hedding Literary Institute and the Cooperstown Seminary before leaving home to become a teacher. Burroughs began keeping journals in 1854 when he was seventeen. His first published essay was "Fragments from the Table of an Intellectual Epicure" in 1860 and his first significant published piece was "Expression" in the Atlantic Monthly that same year.
Burroughs married Ursula North in 1857. Soon after, the couple moved to Washington, D.C. where Burroughs worked for the U.S. Treasury. In 1871 he took a position as a bank examiner in New York and built his home Riverby on a vineyard in West Park. In 1881 he constructed his Bark Study just off the main house, a retreat where he added to his growing body of essays and other work. By 1885 he gave up his bank position to write and enjoy his environment. Later, Burroughs would divide his time between Slabsides, his summer retreat at West Park and Woodchuck Lodge in Roxbury. Burroughs essays ranged from studies of birds and nature to religion and literature and his work was enjoyed by scholars and laypeople alike. Publishing widely, Burroughs became well known and received numerous awards and honorary degrees. He and his wife had one adopted son, Julius.
LessScope and Content Note
The papers are comprised of four series. The Education Related Material series, 1854- 1901 (0.2 cubic ft.) contains a teaching certificate, two school catalogs, a letter of recommendation, and a set of thank you letters. The letters were sent from...
MoreThe papers are comprised of four series. The Education Related Material series, 1854- 1901 (0.2 cubic ft.) contains a teaching certificate, two school catalogs, a letter of recommendation, and a set of thank you letters. The letters were sent from a class of children for whom Burroughs had led a nature walk. The Writings series, 1856-1907 and undated (0.2 cubic ft.) holds several handwritten manuscripts, a poem, an account book, and three periodicals that have articles written by Burroughs. There is also a unique wildflower album with a bark cover created by Burroughs in 1898. Burroughs creativity is also documented in two volumes of artwork, design layout, proofs and type repros for the limited edition book, In Nature's Laboratory, which records the camping trip in 1916 of Burroughs, Edison, and Firestone. The Photographs series, 1882-1915 and undated (2.0 cubic ft.) includes a two volume Souvenir of the Harriman Alaska Expedition, 1899; an album of cartes de visite portraits of friends and family; a set of thirty-seven glass plate negatives (images taken by Burroughs son, Julius); and a subseries of snapshots and photographs of Burroughs with friends, family, visitors and his homes and travels. A Miscellaneous series, 1896-1909 (0.2 cubic ft.) is comprised of a handprint of John Burroughs and several pages from a scrapbook. Researchers should note that handwritten notes describing some of the material were made by the donor, Elizabeth Burroughs Kelley, granddaughter of John Burroughs.
LessCollection Details
Object ID: 93.205.0
Creator: Burroughs, John, 1837-1921
Inclusive Dates: 1854-1915
Size: 3.6 cubic ft.
Language: English
Collection Access & Use
Item Location: Benson Ford Research Center
Access Restrictions: The papers are open for research.
Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Digitized Artifacts From This Collection
In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.
Letter to John Burroughs from Sadie Lowe, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Sadie Lowe, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.9
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Sadie Lowe, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Margaret Adams, a Student, Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Margaret Adams, a Student, Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Margaret Adams, a Student, Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Irving LeFevre, a Student, Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Irving LeFevre, a Student, Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Irving LeFevre, a Student, Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Cora Johnston, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Cora Johnston, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.15
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Cora Johnston, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Bertha LeFevre, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Bertha LeFevre, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.7
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Bertha LeFevre, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Louise Bache, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Louise Bache, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.6
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Louise Bache, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Austin McEntee, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Austin McEntee, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.5
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Austin McEntee, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Stanley Tracy, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Stanley Tracy, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.13
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Stanley Tracy, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Letter to John Burroughs from Blanche Steadman, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Details
Letter to John Burroughs from Blanche Steadman, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1901
Summary
In May 1901, John Burroughs traveled to the State Normal School in New Paltz, New York to share his love of nature with the students. On a hike he discussed the local landscape and made observations about the natural world -- the group even found a quail's nest with eggs. Students later wrote thank you notes and invited Burroughs back for a future visit.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
93.205.125.12
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Letter to John Burroughs from Blanche Steadman, a Student Thanking Him for a Nature Walk, May 16, 1901
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
